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UNITED STATES 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

Form 8-K

 

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE 

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED): November 7, 2023

 

 

 

AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC. 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   001-36254   04-2977748
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

75 Blue Sky Drive, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(978) 640-6789 

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
   
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $0.01 par value AVID Nasdaq Global Select Market

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

  

 

 

 

 

 

Introductory Note

 

This Current Report on Form 8-K is being filed in connection with the completion of the previously announced Merger (as defined below) pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 9, 2023 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Avid Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Avid” or the “Company”), Artisan Bidco, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and Artisan Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”).

 

On November 7, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation of the Merger and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent. Parent and Merger Sub are affiliated with STG Partners, LLC (“STG”).

 

Item 1.01.Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

The information set forth in the Introductory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.

 

Concurrently with the closing of the Merger, Parent and the Company and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries entered into that certain Credit Agreement with Artisan Midco, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the sole stockholder of Parent, Sixth Street Lending Partners, as administrative agent and collateral agent, the lenders from time to time party thereto and the guarantors from time to time party thereto (the “Credit Agreement”), which provides for (i) an initial United States Dollar term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount equal to $400 million, (ii) an initial Euro term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount equal to approximately $200 million and (iii) a revolving loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $60 million. Parent is the borrower, and the Company and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries are guarantors, under the Credit Agreement. The obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured on a first priority basis by substantially all assets of Parent and the guarantors (subject to certain exclusions and exceptions). The Credit Agreement includes representations and warranties, covenants, events of default and other provisions that are customary for facilities of their respective types.

 

Item 1.02.Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

The information set forth in the Introductory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.02.

 

Concurrently with the closing of the Merger, the Company paid all outstanding obligations under that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated October 6, 2022, by and among the Company, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended (the “JPM Credit Facility”), and the Company terminated the JPM Credit Facility and all credit commitments under the JPM Credit Facility.

 

Item 2.01.Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

 

The information set forth in the Introductory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.01.

 

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”):

 

1.each share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Company Common Stock”), outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Excluded Shares (as defined in the Merger Agreement)) was canceled and ceased to have any rights with respect thereto, except for the right to receive $27.05 in cash (the “Merger Consideration”), without interest and less required tax withholdings;

 

 

 

 

2.each outstanding award of restricted stock units of the Company with respect to Company Common Stock (each, an “RSU”), including each award of performance-based RSUs, that was vested at the Effective Time (but not yet settled) or that vested as a result of the completion of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (each, a “Vested RSU Award”) was cancelled and, in exchange therefor, each holder of any such cancelled Vested RSU Award is entitled to receive, in consideration of the cancellation of such Vested RSU Award and in settlement therefor, a payment in cash of an amount equal to the product of (i) the number of RSUs subject to such Vested RSU Award immediately prior to the Effective Time, multiplied by (ii) the Merger Consideration (less any required Tax withholdings); and

 

3.each outstanding RSU that was not a Vested RSU Award (each, an “Unvested RSU Award”) was automatically cancelled and converted solely into the contingent right to receive from Parent or the surviving corporation in the Merger a payment in cash (without interest) equal to the product of (i) the number of RSUs subject to such Unvested RSU Award immediately prior to the Effective Time, multiplied by (ii) the Merger Consideration (each, a “Converted Cash Award”) (less any required Tax withholdings). Each such Converted Cash Award assumed and converted pursuant to the Merger Agreement continues to have, and is subject to, the same vesting terms and conditions (including acceleration provisions upon a qualifying termination of employment (if any)) as applied to the corresponding RSU immediately prior to the Effective Time, with payment forfeited to the extent vesting is not satisfied. However, (x) in the event that Parent or any of its affiliates (including the surviving corporation in the Merger) terminates the employment or service of the holder of the Converted Cash Award without Cause (as defined in the Merger Agreement), the unvested portion of the holder’s Converted Cash Award will become vested upon such termination and (y) with respect to Unvested RSU Awards with a performance-based vesting schedule, the vesting of such awards will be determined based on the current vesting schedules and performance conditions, except that the “ending Company stock price” (for purposes of determining the Company’s total shareholder return) will be equal to the value of the Merger Consideration. The surviving corporation in the Merger will pay any portion of a Converted Cash Award that vests to the applicable holder as promptly as practicable following the date on which such portion vests, but in any event within two payroll periods following the date on which the Converted Cash Award vested.

 

The foregoing description of the Merger and the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement, a copy of which was filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on August 9, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 2.03.Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant

 

The information set forth in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

 

Item 3.01.Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.

 

The information set forth in the Introductory Note and under Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.01.

 

The Company notified The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) on November 7, 2023 of the completion of the Merger. The Company requested that Nasdaq suspend trading of Company Common Stock and remove Company Common Stock from listing on Nasdaq prior to the opening of trading on November 7, 2023. As a result, Nasdaq filed a Form 25 with the SEC on November 7, 2023 to remove Company Common Stock from listing on Nasdaq and deregister Company Common Stock pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Company Common Stock ceased trading on Nasdaq effective prior to the opening of trading on November 7, 2023. After effectiveness of the Form 25, the Company intends to file with the SEC a certification and notice of termination on Form 15 to terminate the registration of Company Common Stock under the Exchange Act and suspend the Company’s reporting obligations under Section 13 and Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

 

 

 

Item 3.03.Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

 

The information set forth in the Introductory Note and under Items 2.01, 3.01, 5.01 and 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.

 

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement and in connection with the completion of the Merger, each outstanding share of Company Common Stock that was issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (except as described in Item 2.01 hereof) was converted, at the Effective Time, into the right to receive the Merger Consideration. Accordingly, at the Effective Time, the holders of such shares of Company Common Stock ceased to have any rights as stockholders of the Company, other than the right to receive the Merger Consideration.

 

Item 5.01.Change in Control of Registrant.

 

The information set forth in the Introductory Note and under Items 2.01 and 3.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.01.

 

As a result of the Merger, a change in control of the Company occurred, and the Company became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent. The total amount of consideration payable in connection with the Merger was approximately $1.4 billion. The funds used by Parent to complete the Merger and the related transactions came from equity contributions made by certain investment funds affiliated with STG and from proceeds received in connection with the debt financing arrangements described in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Item 5.02.           Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

The information set forth in the Introductory Note and under Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.

 

On November 7, 2023, in connection with the completion of the Merger, William Chisholm, Jeff Rosica, Philip Anderson and Patrick Fouhy became the sole directors of the Company. In accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, effective as of the Effective Time, the following persons, who were directors of the Company prior to the Effective Time, ceased to be directors of the Company: Christian A. Asmar, Robert M. Bakish, Paula E. Boggs, Elizabeth M. Daley, Nancy Hawthorne, Daniel B. Silvers, John P. Wallace and Peter M. Westley.

 

Effective November 8, 2023, Kenneth Gayron is no longer the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Gayron’s departure is not a result of any disagreement with the Company regarding its operations or practices.

 

Item 5.03.Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws.

 

The information set forth in the Introductory Note and under Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.03.

 

Effective as of the Effective Time and as a result of the completion of the Merger, the certificate of incorporation and the bylaws of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to the Merger, were amended and restated in their entirety. Copies of the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company that are effective as of the Effective Time are filed as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7.01.Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On November 7, 2023, the Company and STG issued a joint press release announcing the completion of the Merger. A copy of the joint press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

 

Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No. Description
2.1* Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated August 9, 2023, by and among Artisan Bidco, Inc., Artisan Merger Sub, Inc. and Avid Technology, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 9, 2023)
3.1 Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Avid Technology, Inc.
3.2 Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Avid Technology, Inc.
99.1 Joint Press Release, dated November 7, 2023
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

* Schedules and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby undertakes to furnish copies of any of the omitted schedules or exhibits to the SEC upon request by the SEC; provided that the Company may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for any schedules or exhibits so furnished.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.  
    (Registrant)  
       
Date: November 8, 2023 By: /s/ Alessandra Melloni  
    Name: Alessandra Melloni  
    Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Legal and Compliance Officer  


 

 

 

 

 

AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC. 8-K

Exhibit 3.1

 

FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION 

OF 

AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.

 

First. The name of the corporation is Avid Technology, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

 

Second. The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19808. The name of the registered agent of the Corporation at such address is Corporation Service Company.

 

Third. The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended (the “DGCL”).

 

Fourth. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock that the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is 100 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.001 per share.

 

Fifth. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the board of directors is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation, subject to any specific limitation on such power contained in any bylaws adopted by the stockholders. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the bylaws of the Corporation so provide.

 

Sixth. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, a director or officer of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer. If the DGCL or any other law of the State of Delaware is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors and officers, then the liability of a director or officer of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as so amended. Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article Sixth shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director or officer of the Corporation existing at the time of, or increase the liability of any director or officer of the Corporation with respect to any acts or omissions of such director or officer occurring prior to, such amendment, repeal or modification. For purposes of this Article Sixth, “officer” shall have the meaning provided in Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended.

 

Seventh.

 

A.       Actions, Suits and Proceedings Other than by or in the Right of the Corporation. The Corporation shall indemnify each person who was or is a party or is a threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation), by reason of the fact that he is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at the request of the Corporation, as a director, officer or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including any employee benefit plan) (all such persons being referred to hereafter as an “Indemnitee”), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with such action, suite or proceeding and any appeal therefrom, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea or nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article, except as set forth in Paragraph F below, the Corporation shall not indemnify an Indemnitee seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by the Indemnitee unless the initiation thereof was approved by the board of directors of the Corporation.

 

 

 

 

B.        Actions or Suits by or in the Right of the Corporation. The Corporation shall indemnify any Indemnitee who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at the request of the Corporation, as a director, officer or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including any employee benefit plan), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of such liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) which the Court of Chancery of Delaware or such other court shall deem proper.

 

C.        Indemnification for Expenses of Successful Party. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article, to the extent that an Indemnitee has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Paragraphs A and B of this Article, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, or on appeal from any such action, suit or proceeding, he shall be indemnified against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonable incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith. Without limiting the foregoing, if any action, suit or proceeding is disposed of, on the merits or otherwise (including a disposition without prejudice), without (i) the disposition being adverse to the Indemnitee, (ii) an adjudication that the Indemnitee was liable to the Corporation, (iii) a plea of guilty or nolo contendere by the Indemnitee, (iv) an adjudication that the Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and (v) with respect to any criminal proceeding, an adjudication that the Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, the Indemnitee shall be considered for the purposes hereof to have been wholly successful with respect thereto.

 

D.        Notification and Defense of Claim. As a condition precedent to his right to be indemnified, the Indemnitee must notify the Corporation in writing as soon as practicable of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation involving him for which indemnity will or could be sought. With respect to any action, suit, proceeding or investigation of which the Corporation is so notified, the Corporation will be entitled to participate therein at its own expense and/or to assume the defense thereof at its own expense, with legal counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee. After notice from the Corporation to the Indemnitee of its election so to assume such defense, the Corporation shall not be liable to the Indemnitee for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such claim, other than as provided below in this Paragraph D. The Indemnitee shall have the right to employ his own counsel in connection with such claim, but the fees and expenses of such counsel incurred after notice from the Corporation of its assumption of the defense thereof shall be at the expense of the Indemnitee unless (i) the employment of counsel by the Indemnitee has been authorized by the Corporation, (ii) counsel to the Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest or position on any significant issue between the Corporation and the Indemnitee in the conduct of the defense of such action or (iii) the Corporation shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of such action, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel for the Indemnitee shall be at the expense of the Corporation, except as otherwise expressly provided by this Article. The Corporation shall not be entitled, without the consent of the Indemnitee, to assume the defense of any claim brought by or in the right of the Corporation or as to which counsel for the Indemnitee shall have reasonably made the conclusion provided for in clause (ii) above.

 

 

 

 

E.        Advance of Expenses. Subject to the provisions of Paragraph F below, in the event that the Corporation does not assume the defense pursuant to Paragraph D of this Article of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation of which the Corporation receives notice under this Article, any expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an Indemnitee in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, proceeding or investigation or any appeal therefrom shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such matter, provided, however, that the payment of such expenses, incurred by an Indemnitee in advance of the final disposition of such matter shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay all amounts so advanced in the event that it shall ultimately be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article. Such undertaking may be accepted without reference to the financial ability of such person to make such repayment.

 

F.        Procedure for Indemnification. In order to obtain indemnification or advancement of expenses pursuant to Paragraph A, B, C or E of this Article, the Indemnitee shall submit to the Corporation a written request, including in such request documentation and information as is reasonably available to the Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses. Any such indemnification or advancement of expenses shall be made promptly, and in any event within 60 days after receipt by the Corporation of the written request of the Indemnitee, unless with respect to requests under Paragraph A, B, or E the Corporation determines within such 60-day period that the Indemnitee did not meet the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Paragraph A or B, as the case may be. Such determination shall be made in each instance by (i) a majority vote of a quorum of the directors of the Corporation consisting of persons who are not at that time parties to the action, suit or proceeding in question (“disinterested directors”), (ii) if no such quorum is obtainable, a majority vote of a committee of two or more disinterested directors, (iii) a majority vote of a quorum of the outstanding shares of stock of all classes entitled to vote for directors, voting as a single class, which quorum shall consist of stockholders who are not at the time parties to the action, suit or proceeding in question, (iv) independent legal counsel (who may be regular legal counsel to the Corporation), or (v) a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

G.        Remedies. The right to indemnification or advances as granted by this Article shall be enforceable by the Indemnitee in any court of competent jurisdiction if the Corporation denies such request, in whole or in part, or if no disposition thereof is made within the 60-day period referred to above in Paragraph F. Unless otherwise provided by law, the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Corporation pursuance to Paragraph F that the Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct. The Indemnitee’s expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with successfully establishing his right to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such proceeding shall also be indemnified by the Corporation.

 

H.        Subsequent Amendment. No amendment, termination or repeal of this Article or of the relevant provisions of the DGCL or any other applicable laws shall affect or diminish in any way the rights of any Indemnitee to indemnification under the provisions hereof with respect to any action, suit, proceeding or investigation arising out of or relating to any actions, transactions or facts occurring prior to the final adoption of such amendment, termination or repeal.

 

 

 

 

I.          Other Rights. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by this Article shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which an Indemnitee seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any law (common or statutory), agreement or vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in any other capacity while holding office for the Corporation, and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer, and shall inure to the benefit of the estate, heirs, executors and administrators of the Indemnitee. Nothing contained in this Article shall be deemed to prohibit, and the Corporation is specifically authorized to enter into, agreements with officers and directors providing indemnification rights and procedures different from those set forth in this Article. In addition, the Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by its board of directors, grant indemnification rights to other employees or agents of the Corporation or other persons serving the Corporation and such rights may be equivalent to, or greater or less than, those set forth in this Article.

 

J.         Partial Indemnification. If an Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Article to indemnification by the Corporation for some or a portion of the expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines or amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with any action, suit, proceeding or investigation and any appeal therefrom but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify the Indemnitee for the portion of such expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines or amounts paid in settlement to which the Indemnitee is entitled.

  

K.        Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including any employee benefit plan) against any expense, liability or loss incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

 

L.        Merger or Consolidation. If the Corporation is merged into or consolidated with another corporation and the Corporation is not the surviving corporation, the surviving corporation shall assume the obligations of the Corporation under this Article with respect to any action, suit, proceeding or investigation arising out of or relating to any actions, transactions or facts occurring prior to the date of such merger or consolidation.

 

M.       Savings Clause. If this Article or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each Indemnitee as to any expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with any action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal or administrative, including an action by or in the right of the Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

 

N.       Definitions. Terms used herein and defined in Section 145(h) and Section 145(i) of the DGCL shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in such Section 145(h) and Section 145(i).

 

O.       Subsequent Legislation. If the DGCL is amended after adoption of this Article to expand further the indemnification permitted to Indemnitees, then the Corporation shall indemnify such person to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.

 

 

 

 

Eighth. The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon the stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.

 

 

 

 

AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC. 8-K

Exhibit 3.2

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF

AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.

 

ARTICLE I – MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

1.1         Place of Meetings. Meetings of stockholders of Avid Technology, Inc. (the “Corporation”) shall be held at any place, within or outside the State of Delaware, designated by the Corporation’s board of directors (the “Board of Directors”). The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as authorized by Section 211(a)(2) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). In the absence of any such designation or determination, stockholders’ meetings shall be held at the Corporation’s principal executive office.

 

1.2         Annual Meeting. An annual meeting of stockholders shall be held for the election of directors at such date and time as may be designated by resolution of the Board of Directors from time to time. Any other proper business may be transacted at the annual meeting. The Corporation shall not be required to hold an annual meeting of stockholders provided that (i) the stockholders are not prohibited to act by written consent under the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, (ii) the stockholders take action by written consent to elect directors and (iii) the stockholders unanimously consent to such action or, if such consent is less than unanimous, all of the directorships to which directors could be elected at an annual meeting held at the effective time of such action are vacant and are filled by such action.

 

1.3         Special Meeting. A special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, chairperson of the Board of Directors, chief executive officer or president (in the absence of a chief executive officer) or by one or more stockholders holding shares in the aggregate entitled to cast not less than 10% of the votes at that meeting. If any person(s) other than the Board of Directors calls a special meeting, the request shall:

 

(i)          be in writing;

 

(ii)         specify the time of such meeting and the general nature of the business proposed to be transacted; and

 

(iii)        be delivered personally or sent by registered mail or by facsimile transmission to the chairperson of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president (in the absence of a chief executive officer) or the secretary of the Corporation.

 

The officer(s) receiving the request shall cause notice to be promptly given to the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting, in accordance with the provisions of Sections 1.4 and 1.5 of these bylaws, that a meeting will be held at the time requested by the person or persons calling the meeting. No business may be transacted at such special meeting other than the business specified in such notice to stockholders. Nothing contained in this paragraph of this Section 1.3 shall be construed as limiting, fixing, or affecting the time when a meeting of stockholders called by action of the Board of Directors may be held.

 

1.4         Notice of Stockholders’ Meetings. All notices of meetings of stockholders shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance with either Section 1.5 or Section 7.1 of these bylaws not less than 10 or more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. The notice shall specify the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.

 

 

 

 

1.5         Manner of Giving Notice; Affidavit of Notice. Notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be given:

 

(i)          if mailed, when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his or her address as it appears on the Corporation’s records; or

 

(ii)         if electronically transmitted as provided in Section 7.1 of these bylaws.

 

An affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Corporation or of the transfer agent or any other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given by mail or by a form of electronic transmission, as applicable, shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

 

1.6         Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, at each meeting of stockholders the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of shares of stock having a majority of the votes which could be cast by the holders of all outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote at the meeting shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum. If, however, such quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, then either (i) the chairperson of the meeting, or (ii) the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present or represented.

 

1.7         Adjourned Meeting; Notice. Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may adjourn from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place, and notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place if any thereof, and the means of remote communications if any by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the continuation of the adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

1.8         Conduct of Business. Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, or in his or her absence by the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, or in his or her absence by the President, or in his or her absence by a Vice President, or in the absence of the foregoing persons by a chairperson designated by the Board of Directors, or in the absence of such designation by a chairperson chosen at the meeting. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in his or her absence the chairperson of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting. The chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall determine the order of business and the procedure at the meeting, including such regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of business.

 

1.9         Voting. The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.11 of these bylaws, subject to Section 217 (relating to voting rights of fiduciaries, pledgors and joint owners of stock) and Section 218 (relating to voting trusts and other voting agreements) of the DGCL.

 

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Except as may be otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder. Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written ballot and need not be conducted by inspectors of election unless so determined by the holders of shares of stock having a majority of the votes which could be cast by the holders of all outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon which are present in person or by proxy at such meeting. At all meetings of stockholders for the election of directors a plurality of the votes cast shall be sufficient to elect. All other elections and questions shall, unless otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, be decided by the vote of the holders of shares of stock having a majority of the votes which could be cast by the holders of all shares of stock entitled to vote thereon which are present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting.

 

1.10       Stockholder Action by Written Consent Without a Meeting. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, any action required by the DGCL to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of a corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.

 

Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take the action were delivered to the Corporation as provided in Section 228 of the DGCL. In the event that the action which is consented to is such as would have required the filing of a certificate under any provision of the DGCL, if such action had been voted on by stockholders at a meeting thereof, the certificate filed under such provision shall state, in lieu of any statement required by such provision concerning any vote of stockholders, that written consent has been given in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL.

 

1.11       Record Date for Stockholder Notice; Voting; Giving Consents. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors and which record date:

 

(i)          in the case of determination of stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or adjournment thereof, shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting;

 

(ii)         in the case of determination of stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, shall not be more than ten days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors; and

 

(iii)        in the case of determination of stockholders for any other action, shall not be more than sixty days prior to such other action.

 

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If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors:

 

(i)          the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held;

 

(ii)         the record date for determining stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting when no prior action of the Board of Directors is required by law, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation in accordance with applicable law, or, if prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action; and

 

(iii)        the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

1.12       Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing or by a transmission permitted by law filed in accordance with the procedure established for the meeting, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. The provisions of Section 212 of the DGCL shall govern the revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable.

 

1.13       List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. The Corporation shall not be required to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the Corporation’s principal executive office. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting. Such list shall presumptively determine the identity of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and the number of shares held by each of them.

 

ARTICLE II – DIRECTORS

 

2.1         Powers. Subject to the provisions of the DGCL and any limitations in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws relating to action required to be approved by the stockholders or by the outstanding shares, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed and all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

 

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2.2         Number of Directors. The number of directors shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors, provided the Board of Directors shall consist of at least one member. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director’s term of office expires.

 

2.3         Election, Qualification and Term of Office of Directors. Except as provided in Section 2.4 of these bylaws, directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders to hold office until the next annual meeting. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws. The certificate of incorporation or these bylaws may prescribe other qualifications for directors. Each director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy, shall hold office until such director’s successor is elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

2.4         Resignation and Vacancies. Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation. When one or more directors so resigns and the resignation is effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office as provided in this Section in the filling of other vacancies.

 

Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws:

 

(i)          Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors elected by all of the stockholders having the right to vote as a single class may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.

 

(ii)         Whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock or series thereof are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships of such class or classes or series may be filled by a majority of the directors elected by such class or classes or series thereof then in office, or by a sole remaining director so elected.

 

If at any time, by reason of death or resignation or other cause, the Corporation should have no directors in office, then any officer or any stockholder or an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian of a stockholder, or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate of a stockholder, may call a special meeting of stockholders in accordance with the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, or may apply to the Court of Chancery for a decree summarily ordering an election as provided in Section 211 of the DGCL. If, at the time of filling any vacancy or any newly created directorship, the directors then in office constitute less than a majority of the whole Board of Directors (as constituted immediately prior to any such increase), then the Court of Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or stockholders holding at least 10% of the total number of the shares at the time outstanding having the right to vote for such directors, summarily order an election to be held to fill any such vacancies or newly created directorships, or to replace the directors chosen by the directors then in office as aforesaid, which election shall be governed by the provisions of Section 211 of the DGCL as far as applicable.

 

2.5         Place of Meetings; Meetings by Telephone. The Board of Directors may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or outside the State of Delaware.

 

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Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee, by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

2.6         Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

2.7         Special Meetings; Notice.

 

Special meetings of the Board of Directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the chairperson of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the secretary or any two directors.

 

Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be:

 

(i)          delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone;

 

(ii)         sent by United States first-class mail, postage prepaid;

 

(iii)        sent by facsimile; or

 

(iv)        sent by electronic mail,

 

directed to each director at that director’s address, telephone number, facsimile number or electronic mail address, as the case may be, as shown on the Corporation’s records.

 

If the notice is (i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone, (ii) sent by facsimile or (iii) sent by electronic mail, it shall be delivered or sent at least 24 hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is sent by United States mail, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four days before the time of the holding of the meeting. Any oral notice may be communicated to the director. The notice need not specify the place of the meeting (if the meeting is to be held at the Corporation’s principal executive office) or the purpose of the meeting.

 

2.8           Quorum. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, a majority of the total number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, then the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.

 

A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.

 

2.9           Board of Directors Action by Written Consent Without a Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

 

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2.10          Fees and Compensation of Directors. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors.

 

2.11          Approval of Loans to Officers. The Corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of, or otherwise assist any officer or other employee of the Corporation or of its subsidiary, including any officer or employee who is a director of the Corporation or its subsidiary, whenever, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, such loan, guaranty or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the Corporation. The loan, guaranty or other assistance may be with or without interest and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the Board of Directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of stock of the Corporation.

 

2.12          Removal of Directors. Unless otherwise restricted by statute, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors.

 

No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director prior to the expiration of such director’s term of office.

 

ARTICLE III – COMMITTEES

 

3.1            Committees of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors or in these bylaws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority to (i) approve or adopt, or recommend to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopt, amend or repeal any bylaw of the Corporation.

 

3.2            Committee Minutes. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required.

 

3.3            Meetings and Action of Committees. Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of:

 

(i)             Section 2.5 (place of meetings and meetings by telephone);

 

(ii)            Section 2.6 (regular meetings);

 

(iii)           Section 2.7 (special meetings and notice);

 

(iv)           Section 2.8 (quorum);

 

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(v)            Section 6.10 (waiver of notice); and

 

(vi)           Section 2.9 (action without a meeting)

 

with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the Board of Directors and its members. However:

 

(i)             the time of regular meetings of committees may be determined either by resolution of the Board of Directors or by resolution of the committee;

 

(ii)            special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the Board of Directors; and

 

(iii)           notice of special meetings of committees shall also be given to all alternate members, who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee. The Board of Directors may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these bylaws.

 

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS

 

4.1            Officers. The officers of the Corporation shall be a president and a secretary. The Corporation may also have, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a chairperson of the Board of Directors, a vice chairperson of the Board of Directors, a chief executive officer, a chief financial officer or treasurer, one or more vice presidents, one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more assistant secretaries, and any such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws. The same person may hold any number of offices.

 

4.2            Appointment of Officers. The Board of Directors shall appoint the officers of the Corporation, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Sections 4.3 and 4.5 of these bylaws, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment.

 

4.3            Subordinate Officers. The Board of Directors may appoint, or empower the chief executive officer or, in the absence of a chief executive officer, the president, to appoint, such other officers and agents as the business of the Corporation may require. Each of such officers and agents shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these bylaws or as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

 

4.4            Removal and Resignation of Officers. Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by an affirmative vote of the majority of the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or, except in the case of an officer chosen by the Board of Directors, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the Board of Directors.

 

Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice. Unless otherwise specified in the notice of resignation, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.

 

4.5            Vacancies in Offices. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the Board of Directors or as provided in Section 4.2.

 

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4.6            Representation of Shares of Other Corporations. The chairperson of the Board Directors, the president, any vice president, the treasurer, the secretary or assistant secretary of the Corporation, or any other person authorized by the Board of Directors or the president or a vice president, is authorized to vote, represent, and exercise on behalf of the Corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of any other corporation or corporations standing in the name of the Corporation. The authority granted herein may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.

 

4.7            Authority and Duties of Officers. All officers of the Corporation shall respectively have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the business of the Corporation as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or the stockholders and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE V – RECORDS AND REPORTS

 

5.1            Maintenance and Inspection of Records. The Corporation shall, either at its principal executive office or at such place or places as designated by the Board of Directors, keep a record of its stockholders listing their names and addresses and the number and class of shares held by each stockholder, a copy of these bylaws as amended to date, accounting books, and other records.

 

Any stockholder of record, in person or by attorney or other agent, shall, upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, have the right during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose the Corporation’s stock ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books and records and to make copies or extracts therefrom. A proper purpose shall mean a purpose reasonably related to such person’s interest as a stockholder. In every instance where an attorney or other agent is the person who seeks the right to inspection, the demand under oath shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or such other writing that authorizes the attorney or other agent so to act on behalf of the stockholder. The demand under oath shall be directed to the Corporation at its registered office in Delaware or at its principal executive office.

 

5.2            Inspection by Directors. Any director shall have the right to examine the Corporation’s stock ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books and records for a purpose reasonably related to his or her position as a director. The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with the exclusive jurisdiction to determine whether a director is entitled to the inspection sought. The Court may summarily order the Corporation to permit the director to inspect any and all books and records, the stock ledger, and the stock list and to make copies or extracts therefrom. The Court may, in its discretion, prescribe any limitations or conditions with reference to the inspection, or award such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper.

 

5.3            Annual Report. The Corporation shall cause an annual report to be sent to the stockholders of the Corporation to the extent required by applicable law. If and so long as there are fewer than 100 holders of record of the Corporation’s shares, the requirement of sending of an annual report to the stockholders of the Corporation is expressly waived (to the extent permitted under applicable law).

 

ARTICLE VI – GENERAL MATTERS

 

6.1            Stock Certificates; Partly Paid Shares. The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Notwithstanding the adoption of such a resolution by the Board of Directors, every holder of stock represented by certificates and upon request every holder of uncertificated shares shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by the chairperson or vice-chairperson of the Board of Directors, or the president or vice-president, and by the treasurer or an assistant treasurer, or the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Corporation representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

 

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The Corporation may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be paid therefor. Upon the face or back of each stock certificate issued to represent any such partly paid shares, upon the books and records of the Corporation in the case of uncertificated partly paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated. Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully paid shares, the Corporation shall declare a dividend upon partly paid shares of the same class, but only upon the basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid thereon.

 

6.2            Special Designation on Certificates. If the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the DGCL, in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

 

6.3            Lost Certificates. Except as provided in this Section 6.3, no new certificates for shares shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the Corporation and cancelled at the same time. The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

 

6.4            Construction; Definitions. Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in the DGCL shall govern the construction of these bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term “person” includes both a corporation and a natural person.

 

6.5            Dividends. The Board of Directors, subject to any restrictions contained in either (i) the DGCL, or (ii) the certificate of incorporation, may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of its capital stock. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the Corporation’s capital stock.

 

The Board of Directors may set apart out of any of the funds of the Corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve. Such purposes shall include but not be limited to equalizing dividends, repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, and meeting contingencies.

 

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6.6            Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors and may be changed by the Board of Directors.

 

6.7            Seal. The Corporation may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be adopted and which may be altered by the Board of Directors. The Corporation may use the corporate seal by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

 

6.8            Stock Transfer Agreements. The Corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the Corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the Corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.

 

6.9            Registered Stockholders. The Corporation:

 

(i)             shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends and to vote as such owner;

 

(ii)            shall be entitled to hold liable for calls and assessments the person registered on its books as the owner of shares; and

 

(iii)           shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of another person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.

 

6.10          Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver, signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.

 

ARTICLE VII – NOTICE BY ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION

 

7.1            Notice by Electronic Transmission. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders pursuant to the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the Corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if:

 

(i)             the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent; and

 

(ii)            such inability becomes known to the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Corporation or to the transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice.

 

However, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.

 

11 

 

 

Any notice given pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be deemed given:

 

(i)             if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice;

 

(ii)            if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice;

 

(iii)           if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (A) such posting and (B) the giving of such separate notice; and

 

(iv)           if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder.

 

An affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary or of the transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given by a form of electronic transmission shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

 

7.2            Definition of Electronic Transmission. An “electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved, and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

 

7.3            Inapplicability. Notice by a form of electronic transmission shall not apply to Sections 164, 296, 311, 312 or 324 of the DGCL.

 

ARTICLE VIII – INDEMNIFICATION

 

To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, the Corporation shall indemnify each of its directors, officers, and employees whether or not then in service as such (and his or her executor, administrator, and heirs), against all reasonable expenses actually and necessarily incurred by him or her in connection with the defense of any litigation to which the individual may have been made a party because he or she is or was a director, officer, or employee of the Corporation. The right to indemnity for expenses shall also apply to the expenses of suits which are compromised or settled if the court having jurisdiction of the matter shall approve such settlement.

 

The foregoing right of indemnification shall be in addition to, and not exclusive of, all rights to which such director, officer or employee may be entitled by law or otherwise.

 

ARTICLE IX – AMENDMENTS

 

These bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders entitled to vote. However, the Corporation may, in its certificate of incorporation, confer the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws upon the directors. The fact that such power has been so conferred upon the directors shall not divest the stockholders of the power, nor limit their power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws.

 

12 

 

 

AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC. 8-K

Exhibit 99.1

 

STG Completes Acquisition of Avid Technology

 

BURLINGTON, Mass., November 7, 2023 – Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVID), a leading technology provider that powers the media and entertainment industry, today announced the completion of its acquisition by an affiliate of STG in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.4 billion. The acquisition was previously announced on August 9, 2023, and approved by Avid stockholders on November 2, 2023.

 

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Avid stockholders will receive $27.05 per share. As a result of the completion of this transaction, Avid common stock will cease trading prior to the opening of trading on November 7, 2023, and will no longer be listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Avid will operate as a privately-held company and remain headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts.

 

“By becoming a private company, we believe Avid will be able to achieve the speed of innovation, scale and performance required for us to continue leading the industry forward,” said Jeff Rosica, Avid’s Chief Executive Officer and President. “Combined with their significant operational and financial resources, STG brings deep investment experience in the technology sector that will accelerate the achievement of Avid’s strategic vision, building on the momentum of our successful ongoing transformation achieved over the past several years.”

 

“We are excited to begin the next phase of Avid’s journey. Avid’s solutions are integral to content creation and management workflows across the film, television and music markets. Building on Avid’s established leadership position, we look forward to accelerating Avid’s growth trajectory through a deep focus on innovation and delivering enhanced customer value,” said William Chisholm, Managing Partner, and Patrick Fouhy, Principal, of STG.

 

Advisors 

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC served as financial advisor to Avid, and Sidley Austin LLP served as legal counsel to Avid. Rothschild & Co. served as financial advisor to STG, and Paul Hastings LLP served as legal counsel to STG. Sixth Street Partners and Silver Point provided debt financing in support of the transaction.

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 

Certain information provided in this press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements regarding our future financial performance or position, results of operations, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations, expected duration of challenges to audio gross margin, anticipated effects of cost management and pricing initiatives and other statements that are not historical fact. You can identify forward-looking statements by their use of forward-looking words such as “may”, “will”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “believe”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “should”, “seek”, or other comparable terms.

 

Readers of this press release should understand that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance or results. Forward-looking statements provide our current expectations and beliefs concerning future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and factors relating to our business and operations, all of which are difficult to predict and could cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements.

 

 

 

 

These risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to: the effect of the continuing worldwide macroeconomic uncertainty and its impacts, including inflation, market volatility, and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange and interest rates on our business and results of operations, including impacts related to acts of war, armed conflict and cyber conflict, such as for example, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and related international sanctions and reprisals; risks related to the availability and prices of raw materials, including any negative effects caused by inflation, armed conflict and related sanctions, weather conditions or health pandemics; disruptions, inefficiencies, and/or complications in our operations and/or dynamic and unpredictable global supply chain, including cost increases, interruptions, delays, complications and other impacts related to armed conflict and/or cyber conflict and related international sanctions and reprisals; economic, social and political instability, security concerns and the risk of war, armed conflict and/or cyber conflict, particularly originating in, and complicated by, areas of heightened geopolitical tension and open conflict such as Ukraine, where we have outsourced research and development activities, Russia and bordering territories; our liquidity; our ability to execute our strategic plan, including our cost saving strategies, and to meet customer needs; our ability to retain and hire key personnel; our ability to produce innovative products in response to changing market demand, particularly in the media industry; our ability to successfully accomplish our product development plans; competitive factors; history of losses; fluctuations in our revenue based on, among other things, our performance and risks in particular geographies or markets; the impact of changes in accounting treatment interpretations over time; our higher indebtedness and ability to service it and meet the obligations thereunder; our ability to mitigate and remediate material weaknesses in our internal controls; restrictions in our credit facilities; our move to a subscription model and related effect on our revenues and ability to predict future revenues; fluctuations in subscription and maintenance renewal rates; elongated sales cycles; seasonal factors; other adverse changes in external economic conditions; variances in our revenue backlog and the realization thereof; the costs, disruption and diversion of management’s attention due to armed conflict and/or cyber conflict and related international sanctions and reprisals; the possibility of legal proceedings adverse to our Company; and other risks described in our reports filed from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Moreover, the business may be adversely affected by future legislative, regulatory or other changes, including tax law changes, as well as other economic, business and/or competitive factors. The risks included above are not exhaustive. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included in this press release which speak only as to the date of this press release. We undertake no responsibility to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

 

Avid Powers Greater Creators
People who create media for a living become greater creators with Avid’s award-winning technology solutions to make, manage and monetize today’s most celebrated video and audio content—from iconic movies and bingeworthy TV series, to network news and sports, to recorded music and the live stage. What began more than 30 years ago with our invention of nonlinear digital video editing has led to individual artists, creative teams and organizations everywhere subscribing to our powerful tools and collaborating securely in the cloud. We continue to re-imagine the many ways editors, musicians, producers, journalists and other content creators will bring their stories to life. Discover the possibilities at avid.com and join the conversation on social media with the multitude of brilliant creative people who choose Avid for a lifetime of success. 

 

About STG 

STG is a private equity partner to market-leading companies in data, software, and analytics. The firm brings experience, flexibility, and resources to build strategic value and unlock the potential of innovative companies. Partnering to build customer-centric, market-winning portfolio companies, STG creates sustainable foundations for growth that bring value to existing and future stakeholders. The firm is dedicated to transforming and building outstanding technology companies in partnership with world-class management teams. STG’s expansive portfolio has consisted of more than 50 global companies. For more information, please visit www.STG.com.

 

Media Contact:

 

Jim Sheehan 

Corporate Communications 

jim.sheehan@avid.com 

 

Gloria Consola

STG 

pr@STG.com 

650-935-9500

 

 

 

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Entity Registrant Name AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.
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Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE
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